Solve the NYT Connections Puzzle #562 (December 24, 2024) – A Christmas Eve Challenge!

Stuck on today's Connections puzzle from the New York Times Games? Don't worry, this guide provides hints, clues, and ultimately, the complete solutions to help you conquer this word puzzle, even on Christmas Eve.

The Words: This puzzle features the words: Lions, Tigers, Bears, Oh My, Dear, Jays, Bills, Use, Bye, Bees, Please, Close, Tight, Gimme, Ease, and Intimate.

General Hints:

• The puzzle doesn't focus on sports teams or specific animal types.
• "Bye" and "Gimme" belong together.

Category Clues and Solutions:

Below, we'll reveal hints and then the full solutions for each color-coded category. Proceed with caution, as later sections contain spoilers.

Yellow (Easy):

• Hint: A famous line from The Wizard of Oz.
• Answer: Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!
• Words: Bears, Lions, Oh My, Tigers

Green (Medium):

• Hint: Think close companions.
• Answer: Beloved, as a Friend
• Words: Close, Dear, Intimate, Tight

Blue (Hard):

• Hint: Consider words that sound like plural letters. Other possibilities include "Seas," "Geeze," and "Eyes."
• Answer: Words that Sound Like Plural Letters
• Words: Bees, Ease, Jays, Use

Purple (Tricky):

• Hint: These words, when tripled, form the titles of popular songs.
• Answer: When Tripled, Hit Song Titles
• Words: Bills, Bye, Gimme, Please

Complete Solution:

• Yellow: Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My! (Bears, Lions, Oh My, Tigers)
• Green: Beloved, as a Friend (Close, Dear, Intimate, Tight)
• Blue: Words that Sound Like Plural Letters (Bees, Ease, Jays, Use)
• Purple: When Tripled, Hit Song Titles (Bills, Bye, Gimme, Please)

Ready to play more? Head over to the New York Times Games website to enjoy more Connections puzzles!